Most importantly, today we talked about how leaders and “Manage Their Day.” I think this is an important way to look at the presenting issue or the inciting incident that we are addressing. Yes, people have TOO MUCH to do, and NOT ENOUGH time to do it in. So, now that we know that…Here are questions I am often asked:

“When you support a large staff and have your own duties, how do you best coordinate being available to the staff and completing your tasks without jeopardizing your deliverables?”

So, let me take each one of these, one at a time, and share with you a philosophy AND a tactic:

how do you best coordinate being available…

My question back is: “How available is available?”

If you’ve created a culture where interruptions are commonplace, it’s going to be difficult to count on the the time you need to get your most important work done. According to an article published in the Houston Chronicle on 2/27/2006, “People switch activities, such as making a call, speaking with someone in their cubicle or working on a document, every 3 minutes on average.” So, imagine this scenario:

You’re looking at a 4 page document. Each page has approximately 200 words on it. EVEN if you read it straight through, you’d probably get through those 800 words in “about 3 minutes.” At which point you get interrupted. Let me ask you, is “being available” worth you having to go back and re-read that document…again?

In 2009, the technology organization Basex ran a survey. After asking hundreds of workers do you know what they found? “The average employee spends 28% of their time dealing with unnecessary interruptions followed by “recovery time” to get back on track.”

So, NOW my question is a deeper one:

What is your recovery time?

Researchers Gloria Mark and Victor Gonsalez of the University of California, Irvine, found that once interrupted, it takes workers 25 minutes to return to the original task, if they return at all.

So, let me give you a tactic. Tomorrow (yes, tomorrow) ask your co-workers if they’d help you with an experiment. Ask them to give you 15 minutes at a time, 3 different times that day (try 10am, 1pm and 3pm to start) to focus on one activity without distracting you.

What if (this is a BIG question) you had 3X15 minutes to work on something without running the risk of getting distracted? Try it one day, and then a second day, and then for three more days. That’s right, according to chapter 10 of the book Your Best Just Got Better (reviews here: http://wmck.co/ybjgbreviews), it will take you 5 days of experimenting with a tactic to know whether or not it will be worth it to continue practicing enough to actually make it a habit.

I did write an article on interruptions in the workplace. Want to see? Here you go: http://www.entrepreneur.com/blog/224669

how do you complete your tasks without jeopardizing your deliverables…

I went over to google.com and in the search bar I typed, “how do I prioritize my work?” and – BAM, just like that – I was given about 3,680,000 results in just .38 seconds. That means you’re not the only one asking this question.

I was almost shocked when I saw something that reminded me of what I learned in a time management class I took in 1996 (when I was still a graduate student at the University of California):

Here are three steps that can make pri­or­i­tiz­ing daily tasks sim­ple for you:

• B = Impor­tant (It would be good to get this done today but it’s not critical.)

• C = Less Impor­tant (This is more of a some­day list.)

• Assign num­bers, in order of impor­tance, to each let­ter (ex. A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, C1, C2). This is the numer­i­cal order you will fol­low.

A’s are done first start­ing with A1. If time is left after the A’s are done, start on the B’s, fol­lowed by the C’s.

According to the article, by fol­low­ing this method of pri­or­i­ti­za­tion, you will be able to work smarter dur­ing your quest for a more pro­duc­tive day.

Now, you’re probably asking yourself, “Jason, why are you shocked? Isn’t that a good way to prioritize?”

Hmmm, yeah, maybe. Before Twitter. Before YouTube. Before Quantitive Easing. Before the TWO recessions we’ve been through since then. Before…

…you get my point.

Your work is SO fluid, SO important, SO big, that to be available to potentially useful information, to have a boss that changes your Most Important Thing (see chapter 7 of http://wmck.co/ybjgbreviews) and to have a team member that is now the sole caregiver for a parent, a child, a family member, etc…

Do you use Microsoft® Outlook®? If you do, I’d highly recommend you at least go through the FREE 7-day course I created for you (preview is here: www.OutlookDashboard.com). And, yes, I stand by the money-back guarantee if you DO decide to purchase the video course. In fact, if you email me within 1 day of purchasing the course I’ll add a 30 minute one-on-one video coaching session to your shopping cart!

How do you complete your tasks?

Well, if you got a copy of my book, I’d recommend you start by reviewing pages 15, 16, 17 and 18. (Don’t have a copy? No worries, you can review chapter one for free right here.) There I talk about how important it is to define your work at the NOUN and the VERB levels.

Want to read an article on this? Here you are, just click here…

Oh, and of course I made a video, here’s the link for you.

]]>http://womackcompany.com/blog/2015/02/26/know-prioritize-work/feed/0Episode 193 – When you get rid of the clutterhttp://womackcompany.com/blog/2015/02/26/episode-193/
http://womackcompany.com/blog/2015/02/26/episode-193/#commentsThu, 26 Feb 2015 07:00:03 +0000http://womackcompany.com/?p=12228

Is there something in the way?

All that “stuff” you’ve got, is it helping?

When it comes to to getting the right things done, and making sure you’re working on your priorities, how are you doing…What you’re doing? There is a saying that a “clean house is an indicator of a messy mind.” But, I don’t completely buy it. What if a clear space acted as a magnet of good ideas? That’s how I like to think about it. If you want to learn how to be less frustrated with all the stuff that’s lying around, listen in to this episode of the podcast. I know you want more freedom to think clearly, and be more innovative. Here you go!

This marks episode number 193 of the Your Best Just Got Better podcast.

We are getting ready to celebrate BIG at episode 200. The plan: If you help us achieve 500,000 downloads, I’ll host a dinner party here in Ojai. (We’re getting closer!) Dinner’s on me, you just gotta help us share the podcast with as many people as you can. Whether this is the first episode you’ve heard, or you’re a “long time listener,” YOU are the reason this podcast exists. Scroll through them (below) and see if there is another one that “speaks” to you.

You can listen to all previous episodes and be one of the first to hear the new episode each week. Just click or tap one of the links below you’ll get started!

I mean, USUALLY when people say it, it’s because they CAN’T believe something that is actually happening. Right? Think about it, what was the last thing you said “Can you believe it?” about? Oh, and one more thing, when someone DOES ask that question, they usually aren’t really asking for an answer to the question…Right?

Self Efficacy is something that I learned about from a teacher of mine Lou Tice at a 2-day workshop I attended in Seattle, Washington. Over that time, he taught me something I fall back on almost every day…How to believe it!

So, how DO you change what you believe? I wrote about it over here. There are 5 ways I know of to build a mindset, find the environment, and build the habits you’re going to need to:

This marks episode number 192 of the Your Best Just Got Better podcast. Whether this is the first episode you’ve heard, or you’re a “long time listener,” YOU are the reason this podcast exists. Scroll through them (below) and see if there is another one that “speaks” to you. Now, we’re closing in on podcast episode 200? Here’s what I’m thinking: If we can get to 500,000 downloads, I’ll host a dinner party here in Ojai. Dinner’s on me, you just gotta help us share the podcast with as many people as you can.

Click “View in iTunes” under the picture of Your Best Just Got Better logo

Click “subscribe” under the picture again

Please click on ratings and reviews to rate and leave Jason a review

]]>http://womackcompany.com/blog/2015/02/19/episode-192/feed/0Because I notice more…I notice more.http://womackcompany.com/blog/2015/02/17/notice-notice/
http://womackcompany.com/blog/2015/02/17/notice-notice/#commentsTue, 17 Feb 2015 15:36:16 +0000http://womackcompany.com/?p=10439Always have a camera…it’s been a motto of mine for a long, long time. Whether it’s my big DSLR or my iPhone 5 (picture below), having a way to grab a scene so I can see it again later…

Late in the day on my last trip to Europe, I took this picture standing on a bridge in Zurich, Switzerland.

When I have a camera in my hand I’m that much more aware. I look out, and up, and do all of that with more interest and focus. I know that over the years this habit [the theme – in fact – of http://www.GetMomentum.co this month] has helped me be more successful in many areas of my life. Because I notice more…I notice more.

As an entrepreneur: Starting a business is pretty similar to getting pregnant: almost anyone can do it, but probably some people shouldn’t. Most hours of most days a thought (or two!?) come to my mind about how I could be a better business owner. (Parents, does that sound familiar?)

As a global citizen: Traveling the world is not a privilege I take for granted.

As a husband:

As an athlete:

As a writer:

]]>http://womackcompany.com/blog/2015/02/17/notice-notice/feed/0Why I left teaching…and my dream of the future.http://womackcompany.com/blog/2015/02/12/why-i-left-teaching-and-my-dream-of-the-future/
http://womackcompany.com/blog/2015/02/12/why-i-left-teaching-and-my-dream-of-the-future/#commentsThu, 12 Feb 2015 17:24:19 +0000http://womackcompany.com/?p=9195In 1999 I had a vision.

Are you losing an opportunity to learn?

Did you know a complaint is the kindest thing they can give you?

When it comes time to making your best a little bit better, where do you go to get the advice you need? Some leaders wait for their 360 reviews. Other leaders hope their teams/vendors/clients/managers give them feedback “just-in-time.” Still others are too busy in their day to day to even notice if/when things are off. Don’t be one of those leaders. Instead, actively pursue the complaints. In doing so, you gain an advantage.

In this episode, you will learn…

We’re on the countdown…8 more episodes until we celebrate 200!

Jason made a HUGE offer, but ya gotta listen to both this AND last week’s podcast

The fastest way to get from Point A to Point Z

What Jason learned as a high school teacher that changed the game. BIG TIME!

What you can learn by asking people to complain. (That’s the POINT of this episode!)

This marks episode number 191 of the Your Best Just Got Better podcast. What do you think? Do we celebrate BIG at episode 200? Here’s what I’m thinking: If we can get to 500,000 downloads, I’ll host a dinner party here in Ojai. Dinner’s on me, you just gotta help us share the podcast with as many people as you can. Whether this is the first episode you’ve heard, or you’re a “long time listener,” YOU are the reason this podcast exists. Scroll through them (below) and see if there is another one that “speaks” to you.

If this is the first episode you’ve ever listened to, welcome! You can listen to all previous episodes and be one of the first to hear the new episode each week. Just click or tap one of the links below you’ll get started!

]]>http://womackcompany.com/blog/2015/02/12/episode-191/feed/0Leaders of all kinds are expected to be great.http://womackcompany.com/blog/2015/02/10/leaders-kinds-expected-great/
http://womackcompany.com/blog/2015/02/10/leaders-kinds-expected-great/#commentsTue, 10 Feb 2015 17:08:49 +0000http://womackcompany.com/?p=11232Bring to mind that thing you know you’d like to be great at doing. Is it a habit? Or a skill? Do you need more:

Information?

Practice?

Discipline?

Or…All three?

Or, maybe it’s more of a way you’d like to be great at being. Or, that thing you think would be great to have. Are you with me? No matter what you came up with that will represent your “next level,” you’re going to need information and momentum to get there. You need to…

Improve Your Performance

This isn’t news to you.

Neither is this: The best in the world are the BEST in the world because they choose to get better.

Now that I have you thinking a little more deeply, ponder this question, “How can you get better now?”

Well, that is exactly what we focus on every month in the Get Momentum Coaching Program. Four weeks at a time, you focus on learning about/developing/enhancing one professional/personal skill. The end result: to improve your productivity, build and maintain a meaningful culture, and contribute to the greater good. There are three

SELF: How you manage you will be the topic of my presentation. If you’re in it to win it, if you want to be a better version of yourself, if you have goals and dreams that will require you think bigger and work smarter, you’re going to want to be in this one-day session.

ORGANIZATION: Think about the companies you work for, the businesses you shop in, the corporations you support with your wallet every day of the month. Have you paused long enough to

COMMUNITY:

Leaders have more responsibilities and expectations than ever before. Changes in technology, paired with rapidly emerging competitors and employee expectations, make greater demands on our performance. Discover what you can do in three key arenas – Self, Organization, and Community – to improve your productivity, build and maintain a meaningful culture, and contribute to the greater good.

This event has been developed for C-level professionals, Executive Directors, and their leadership teams.

Are you committed?

Is winning a “nice to” or a “HAVE to”?

I spent an hour on a video chat yesterday with a client I’m working with in Harare, Zimbabwe. Yes, you read that correctly… A book reader in Africa has invited us to create and facilitate a “Leadership Development Symposium” for three groups to come and study together. For the first 30 minutes we talked, we shared stories of our experiences: Linda has been “leading the community” for more than 30 years, and she discovered my book when a TED Speaker – Saki Mafundikwa – brought it to her after he and I met in Portland, Oregon last July!

This week’s podcast uncovers some of the secrets I’ve discovered over the years of studying high performance workplace performance. First of all “work” is a word we sometimes mis-understand. You see, some people think work is something they “go to” and “get paid for.” That’s not our definition. To us here at The Womack Companies, work is what we do because we see something that could be #better. (Yes, we DO use the hashtag before the word better…)

In this episode, you’ll also learn…

What happens when you commit to something with your heart AND mind.

Jason has traveled to San Francisco and Marin County.

Jason’s passport is going to get stamped a LOT over the next 6 months.

Why “thinking” isn’t enough. You have to ___ __________ if you’re going to achieve more.

What you can do with a “REAL LIFE” situation to make progress on, and stress about less!

This marks episode number 190 of the Your Best Just Got Better podcast. What do you think? Do we celebrate BIG at episode 200? Here’s what I’m thinking: If we can get to 500,000 downloads, I’ll throw a dinner party here in Ojai. Dinner’s on me, you just gotta help us share the podcast with as many people as you can. Whether this is the first episode you’ve heard, or you’re a “long time listener,” YOU are the reason this podcast exists. Scroll through them (below) and see if there is another one that “speaks” to you.

If this is the first episode you’ve ever listened to, welcome! You can listen to all previous episodes and be one of the first to hear the new episode each week. Just click or tap one of the links below you’ll get started!